Strive for Success
Strive For Success participant Nakyah with her Job Coach Sheree White
Our Strive for Success youth job skills training and employment program helps young people across the Mid North Coast and Illawarra overcome barriers, build confidence and create sustainable pathways into employment, education and training.
Two years of impact
Two years into its delivery, the program is continuing to deliver strong outcomes, with more young people engaging in education and training and progressing to further study, alongside strong employment outcomes and improved job retention.
For many participants, finding a job is only part of the challenge.
What sets Strive for Success apart is its focus on addressing the barriers that can prevent young people from gaining employment and, just as importantly, keeping it. Job Coaches work alongside participants to navigate challenges such as housing, childcare, education, transport and confidence, while continuing to provide post-placement support once employment is secured.
This wraparound approach helps young people like Sarah build the foundations for long-term success.
Sarah’s* Journey to Employment and Independence
When Sarah joined Strive for Success, she was a single mother of four young children rebuilding her life after experiencing domestic violence.
Relocating from Forster to Taree due to rising housing costs and a shortage of suitable rental properties, Sarah found herself separated from family and support networks while trying to create a stable future for her children. Securing long-term employment was a priority, but without access to childcare, finding work remained out of reach.
Working closely with her Strive for Success Job Coach, [name], Sarah identified support work as a career path that aligned with her strengths and interests. Her Job Coach supported her to navigate childcare barriers and prepare for employment, while Sarah completed First Aid and CPR training and built the confidence and skills she needed to pursue work in the sector.
When a childcare placement finally became available, Sarah was ready to take the next step.
With childcare in place, Sarah applied for three positions in the care sector with support from her Job Coach and secured interviews for all three. Her preparation, determination and growing confidence paid off, with all three employers offering her a role. After carefully considering her options, Sarah accepted a position with Australian Unity, attracted by the flexibility, ongoing training opportunities and clear pathway for career progression.
Today, Sarah is building a more stable future for herself and her children through secure employment while continuing to develop her skills within the care sector.
* Name has been changed to protect privacy.
“The transformation in Sarah’s confidence, self-esteem and outlook has been remarkable. It has been inspiring to witness her resilience and determination translate into meaningful outcomes for both herself and her children.”
Sheree White, Strive for Success Job Coach
